MIAMI — LeBron James said he isn't getting into a trash-talking headline battle with the Indiana Pacers' Lance Stephenson.

"One thing I'm not going to do is give y'all a story line. I'm not going to do that. This is the Pacers vs. the Heat. I don't get involved in that. I've already been involved in a LeBron vs. Stephenson in my playoff career. I'm not going to start with another Stephenson," James said, referring to his battles with then-Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks guard DeShawn Stevenson. "I'm not going to do it. You won't get me today."

Shortly after James' declined to talk about it, Stephenson said the fact that James is talking to him on the court is a "sign of weakness because he never used to say nothing to me."

Indeed, during Game 3 on Saturday with the Heat losing early in the second quarter, James was agitated after he was called for a charge that Stephenson took. From that point on, James began letting Stephenson know whenever he and the Heat made a play and Stephenson and the Pacers didn't.

"I'm doing something right and I'm getting under his skin," Stephenson said. "I definitely have to keep stepping up to the plate and be aggressive when he does that."

James had 26 points (9-for-14 shooting), seven assists and five rebounds, and Stephenson had 10 points (3-for-9 from the field), 11 rebounds in five assists in Miami's Game 3 victory. The Heat lead the series 2-1.

Stephenson's openness during interviews is refreshing, and it's great trait that he's not afraid of any player. But firing up James might not be the best move.

Game 4 in Miami: Heat 102, Pacers 90 -- Indiana forward David West (21) scrambles for a loose ball against Miami forward Rashard Lewis (9) and LeBron James (6) during the second half. (Photo: Robert Mayer, USA TODAY Sports)

Game 3 in Miami: Heat 99, Pacers 87 -- The Miami bench and fans rise to their feet as Ray Allen (34) knocks down a clutch three-pointer during the Heat's decisive late run. (Photo: Robert Mayer, USA TODAY Sports)